It's the slam that seems to produce the most injuries probably due to the sticky plexicushion surface. It's the first slam of the year and already so many mishaps (eg. Serena's ankle, Na falling twice and hitting her head). Players shouldn't be injured left and right this early in the calendar year. It makes more sense to see it happening towards the end of the year due to fatigue or wear and tear. At this point, they need to consider player's safety first. What should they change it to, and who would it benefit more if they do change it?
I don't care what they change it to, but please! For the love of all that is good and great, PLEASE speed the shit up. I swear, on some of those days it felt like I was watching some matches on those godawful blue clay courts in Madrid last year. Why do they have to be so slow? Okay, getting back to topic. I believe something needs to be done. Serena's cooked her ankle twice now on that Plexicrap. I know I might be called biased because I stan for her, but good grief. What's it going to take? Another Mary Pierce-like injury to happen on this stuff before they do something? I want Rebound Ace back.
I don't think there is anything wrong with the court. I think we are seeing unfit players - not physically, but match play, from the layoff of the seasons, and their lack of footwork is showing.
Serena's rollover would have happened anywhere. Li's was just lack of concentration. Not the surface.
Yes IMO they should change it to a less sticky surface. I'm not sure what needs to be done for that to happen but I think it should change. I remember another poster here posting about it before talking about how dangerous the surface was because of a certain injury that could happen with the ankle. Something like a stuck foot idk.
Why can't the AO be the carpet slam? Not sure if carpet causes more injuries or not... but on a tangent, I don't understand why there has to be two HC slams when there are four such surfaces. It would make sense to have a carpet season too. Mix up the variety.
As for the original question, I think Na and Serena were just unlucky. If maybe 30-40% of players started rolling their ankle, I could understand.
The previous green surface was worse if I recall correctly. Players always complained on how sticky and hot the cort would get, this surface is definitely an improvement on that regard.
The surface was changed from rebound ace to plexicusion to prevent injuries this Australian open was an unusually bad one for injuries this year. Li Na in the final was a great example of this.
The surface was changed from rebound ace to plexicusion to prevent injuries this Australian open was an unusually bad one for injuries this year. Li Na in the final was a great example of this.
No. It's the players fault if they don't prepare properly. The court is grippy so I don't know why every player doesn't wear ankle strapping
I personally don't and I play at Homebush on a regular basis and have had no problems :shrug: